photo by steed media service

The holiday season is here and readers often have questions about gift-giving etiquette. Here are a few tips that should help you with your decision to establish and maintain the gift giving tradition. –soul goddess

Q: How do you determine the right time to exchange gifts with the person you’re dating?
A: There’s no surefire way to determine if the guy or gal that you’re dating is your soul mate. You might as well enjoy the times that you are together. Remember the saying; it’s better to give than to receive. Besides, there is no law against exchanging gifts with friends. If you expect your guy or gal to reciprocate, be sure to discuss it beforehand.

Q: Is it appropriate to re-gift?
A: Yes, if the gift is unopened, is appropriate for the receiver and didn’t come from someone close to you like a spouse, parent or immediate family member. You must be careful not to offend the original giver.

Q: Is it necessary to give a gift to the holiday dinner host/hostess?
A: Yes. You should bring a nice token gift for the host/hostess to thank them for opening their home. It can be as simple as a bottle of wine, CD or a holiday ornament.

Q: Should co-workers exchange gifts?
A: No, it’s not necessary to exchange gifts with co-workers unless you’ve developed a relationship that transcends the work environment. If you agree that you will exchange gifts, it might be best to do a Secret Santa, if there are a few of you that are interested.

Q: Is it inappropriate to refuse a gift that doesn’t meet your needs?
A: It depends. You must be tactful when you turn down a gift and explain to the giver why this particular item should be exchanged.

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